Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Announced

Marvel Comics have announced they will be releasing a huge collection of their old Star Wars comics in an omnibus titled Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years. It will see issues #1-44 and Annual #1 of the first-ever Star Wars comic book series collected into one book, set for release in January 2015.

The first volume in an ongoing series of collections, the omnibus chronicles the adaptations of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope through to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes, with plenty of world-building and expanded universe adventures in between.

Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus cover by Howard Chaykin and Greg Hilderbrandt.

In the reprinted stories, Han, Luke, Leia, Chewie and the gang encounter space pirate Crimson Jack, bounty hunter Beilert Valance, Jabba the Hut (one “t”) and are introduced to the ever-awesome Jaxxon the Rabbit (or Lepi, for those of you who care).

In a press release, Marvel editor in chief Axel Alonso said next year is a great time to revisit the classic Star Wars comic book tales, in light Episode 7's release later that year. “I am extremely proud to present these original Star Wars stories, told as only Marvel can, in the first in a massive and glorious Omnibus series."

The first run of Star Wars comics features work from many longtime industry giants, such as Roy Thomas, Archie Goodwin, Chris Claremont, Jo Duffy, Carmine Infantino, Walt Simonson, Howard Chaykin (who also did the cover for the collection) and many more!

The title "The Original Marvel Years" is Marvel no doubt wanting readers to know that they produced the first-ever Star Wars comics. The rights then went to publisher Dark Horse Comics, but they are about to revert back now that Disney, Marvel's owner, purchased the rights to the Star Wars franchise.

Anthony Couto is a writer for IGN. He’d like to know why Bruce Wayne is dressed as Batman. Ponder with him on Twitter at @AnthCouto or on IGN at TonyCouto.